Endangered

I am woman—
not myth, not whisper, not fleeting shadow,
but flesh, breath, and the weight of centuries
pressed against my back.

They call me life-giver,
yet they plunder the garden of my body,
scorch the soil with hands that never asked permission,
plant fear between my ribs and call it my duty to carry.

I walk in daylight, yet I am prey,
watched by eyes that measure worth in silence,
judged by mouths that speak of me only in terms
of what I can bear, what I can serve,
how I can be undone.

I scream, but my voice is an echo lost in the wind—
too loud, they say, too angry,
too much like a storm they do not wish to weather.
Too silent, they say, too weak,
too much like a ghost who should not haunt the living.

And so, I vanish in the margins,
my name another tally on the list of those
who loved, who fought, who never made it home.
A species dwindling under the weight of a world
that only sees me in pieces,
never whole.

But I will not go quietly.
I will carve my existence into the bones of this earth,
write my rage in rivers, my love in fire,
and when they look upon me,
they will see not just a woman,
but a force that refuses extinction.

About the writer

Ntsiki Khunju is a dedicated Women’s Rights Activist, Child Protection Advocate, and Writer who harnesses the power of communication science to inform, empower, and educate. With a passion for igniting meaningful conversations, she uses her voice to challenge societal norms, amplify marginalized voices, and inspire action toward positive change. As a conversation starter, Ntsiki believes in the transformative power of dialogue—sparking discussions that not only raise awareness but also drive tangible solutions in the fight for gender equality and child protection. Through her advocacy and writing, she continues to shape narratives that foster justice, dignity, and empowerment for all.